November Roses

Rose, “Crown Princess Margareta” by David Austen. Photo taken November 1, 2014

The roses which make it through to November have to be tough.

This one has been a special joy.

Rosa, “Crown Princess Margareta,” side view this morning.

We stop and enjoy its fragrance every time we walk up our driveway.

The rose bush is in a bed directly beside the drive; the first bed I dug, specifically for roses, once we came to this garden.

Our November rose in bud on October 19, 2014

These very tough David Austin roses have survived annual grazing from the deer, root damage from the voles, sun, drought, wind and snow.

And they still bloom this beautifully.

The same blossom of “Crown Princess Margareta” taken on October 25.

This particular rose began as a bud in mid-October. We had already enjoyed it for several days when I first photographed it on October 19.

It was so stunning, my partner suggested that we photograph it.

The same rose again on October 28.

Each day it has gotten more beautiful.

And through wind and rain, cold nights and sunny warm days it has lingered.

An unknown rose planted by the previous gardeners here. It is covered with fragrant buds and flowers today.

Last night we dropped into the mid-40’s here in our garden.

Today dawned overcast, cool and wet; bone shivering wet and windy.

Another bud of the same rose in bloom

So much so, that I was inspired to spend the morning bringing in a hanging geranium we’ve left outside in the crepe myrtle tree, the first of the succulent pots, and a even the large variegated geranium which has lived by our kitchen door since May.

Rosa, “Lady of Shalott,” another rose bred by David Austen. This shrub rose is extremely vigorous with tall,arching canes. It has bloomed non-stop since May.

But my first thought was for the roses. We love them so much this time of year as they give their final flowers of the season.

R. “Lady of Shalott” in bud

And our stalwart rose by the driveway continues to bloom, every petal intact, and offer up its fragrance each time we stop to visit.

We have made great effort to grow roses in this garden. It is the reason we work constantly to keep deer out of the garden, as rose buds are the sweetest of “deer candy.”

R. “The Generous Gardener,” a fairly new introduction from David Austen.

Given good soil, sun, and moisture; roses are relatively easy to grow.

But like pets and children, they require supervision and timely intervention.

R. The Generous Gardener

While tea roses thrive on pruning, shrub roses may be allowed to grow without such drastic pruning.

They respond well to having dead flowers cut off, spring shaping and general maintenance; but they require far less maintenance than the hybrid teas.

The last flower of the season on this floribunda rose from Jackson and Perkins.

7 responses to “November Roses”

Crown Princess Margareta is new in our garden this year and I can hope that she will produce blooms as lovely as these. The Austin’s have certainty captured our attention and we have added several more varieties to our garden

Yes, they have, Chris. And I’m already studying their new introductions for 2014. Such lovely colors and forms. I hope you have the pleasure of cutting CPM blossoms like these from your own garden, soon. I had a R. “Lady Emma Hamilton” in this bed originally. It just suddenly died last season, and I couldn’t determine why. It was between two shrubs which were just fine. It has such a lovely fragrance, that I plan to work a new one into the garden in another spot. Best wishes, WG

Sounds like February has hit with a vengeance! We have been dropping all morning, and had snow mixed in about an hour ago. We’re forecast to hit 50 today… have no illusions that will happen! You’ll have some great opportunities for more ice photography! Be careful on those mountain paths and roads 😉 WG